Singapore #Fitspo of the Week Jimin Choi: “I do my best to embody the philosophy of self-acceptance and perpetual growth”

Life goes beyond the digits on the scale and your body is capable of so much more! Yahoo’s #Fitspo of the Week series is dedicated to Singapore’s inspiring men and women who lead healthy and active lifestyles. Do you have someone to recommend? Hit Cheryl up Instagram or Facebook!

First name: Jimin Choi (@jiminyoga)

Age: 37

Height: 1.64 m

Weight: 51 kg

Occupation: Yoga and Pilates instructor at PURE Group

Status: Married with two children

Food: I maintain a comprehensive and inclusive approach to my diet, enjoying a variety of foods to ensure I meet my nutritional needs. Currently, I do not follow any specific dietary restrictions and embrace a wide range of choices to promote overall health and wellness.

Exercise: I have an active lifestyle and as an instructor I do yoga and pilates six times a week.

Q: When you were young, did you play sports?

A: In my younger years, I was pretty far away from sports and was more of a bookseller. It’s a facet of my past that many find surprising given my current interests.

What were you into growing up?

During my college years, I joined a yoga program. I found it challenging because of my stiffness, and I didn’t enjoy it at first. Little did I know that I would eventually begin my transformative journey to become a yoga instructor.

When you were younger, did you experience any incidents that made you feel insecure about yourself?

As a child, I was an introvert. I was neither active nor flexible, and also suffered from scoliosis, a condition I still suffer from today. I’ve never been proud of my body and experienced multiple health scares, from being hospitalized with a kidney infection in 2011 and just last year in 2023, which made me realize the paramount importance of take care of my well-being.

These experiences have ingrained in me the deep value of health and a daily sense of gratitude. Every time I finish a yoga class, I remember to earnestly convey to my students, “Find gratitude for ourselves, appreciating the fact that we are healthy enough to step on the mat.” This sentiment is sincere as I understand the true importance of being grateful for our health every day.

You used to work as cabin crew.

I embarked on my cabin crew journey in 2009, and concluded my time in the industry in 2011. My cabin crew lifestyle was full of adventure, but it also affected my Health. For example, it was common for me to stand on my heels for long periods of time to assist passengers, and over time this contributed to the worsening of my scoliosis.

What made you decide to quit and become a yoga instructor?

My husband and I worked in the aviation industry and flew constantly. But after giving birth to two children, the decision to retire from flying was a natural one. This change allowed me to better prioritize my health and well-being, leading me to a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.

In 2018, I embarked on my fitness teaching career, but it was in 2021 that I met a PURE Group yoga instructor, Hee Boon. Her class had a profound impact and inspired me to take on a full-time role as a Yoga and Pilates instructor at PURE Group starting in 2021. I started running workshops in 2022 for students who want to elevate their practice of yoga beyond the usual classes. I also took a leap of faith to expand my portfolio and become certified as a Pilates Reformer instructor in 2023.

In 2024, as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher 200 (E-RYT 200) with over 1,000 hours of teaching, I had the opportunity to lead my first Yoga Teacher Training course to guide current and future yoga instructors. I am grateful to have worked with remarkable students and colleagues at PURE Group and look forward to continuing to hone my craft so that I can share the transformative power of yoga with everyone through various platforms.

When did your journey as an influencer begin?

My journey as an influencer started two years ago when I reached 100,000 followers on social media. Being an influencer has only brought positive opportunities in my life, and I’m grateful for the amazing experiences and people I’ve met along the way. The most rewarding aspect of being an influencer is the ability to have a platform and share my knowledge with people from all walks of life around the world.

Both of your children practice yoga.

Yes they do. Three years ago, during the pandemic and lockdown, all yoga classes had to switch online. It was when my kids saw me teach yoga for the first time. Imagine my surprise when I noticed that they started participating in my Zoom classes in the background. It’s truly amazing how the pandemic brought my family together to embrace yoga as a silver lining in difficult times.

How have your children been involved in your own yoga practice?

I am a strong advocate of family yoga, and my family is actively involved in my yoga practice and career. In 2022, I became a certified children’s yoga instructor, which enhanced my ability to teach children. Along this journey, I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with amazing companies like Meddy Teddy, an international mindfulness movement, to host a series of yoga workshops for kids at PURE Group.

I strongly believe that practicing yoga is not exclusive to adults, and I have seen the remarkable benefits firsthand in my own children since they started practicing yoga. Yoga not only imparts strength and flexibility, but also promotes resilience and the ability to calm ourselves down during difficult times by providing them with a greater awareness of their own bodies.

What are the benefits of doing yoga with your kids?

BKS Iyengar, the founder of the yoga-as-exercise style, claims that yoga has a triple impact on health: maintaining the well-being of healthy people, hindering the onset of disease, and facilitating recovery from disease. Participating in yoga has not only kept my children physically active, improving their mobility, but has also instilled in them the invaluable skill of calming their minds.

One of my favorite verses in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Abhyasa Vairagyabhyam Tan Nirodhah (Chapter I, verse 12), emphasizes the idea that through constant practice and focused concentration in yoga, the mind can be controlled and calmed. With that, yoga has had a profound impact on my children’s well-being.

When did you feel less confident about yourself?

Yes, there have been times when I’ve felt a little less sure of myself, both physically and mentally. Having a public profile means that I occasionally get harsh comments or critical comments about my classes that sometimes affect my self-confidence. But here’s the thing: there is no great teacher without great students, and there are no great students without great teachers. We are all in this together. As the saying goes, you can go fast alone, but you can’t go far.

I have learned to overcome negative thoughts by focusing on the positive feedback I have received from students who have experienced a positive impact from my classes and have expressed gratitude for them. I have also realized the importance of my yoga community and am truly grateful for the amazing community I have at PURE Group. Without these wonderful people, I wouldn’t be where I am. We support each other and that is what makes this journey meaningful and fulfilling.

Have you ever struggled with your body?

Absolutely, having two kids has taken me through the whole cycle of weight gain, feeling overweight, fatigue, and then the recovery phase. While being a mother is undoubtedly a true gift, it entails significant sacrifices, especially for the body. However, yoga has been a lifesaver for me in every way, helping me regain control of my body and fostering a sense of well-being. It’s amazing how instrumental yoga has been in my journey to recovery and rediscovering a healthier, more balanced self.

Are you satisfied with your body now?

Now I am happy with my body. Practicing yoga has taught me that it’s not about trying to be fit. Instead, it is a journey to learn to surrender, to let go of judgments and expectations. Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, it means seeing things as they are, accepting them and being grateful for what I have right now. It’s about finding a positive state of mind rather than chasing perfection through the physical body. Yoga has really changed my perspective, emphasizing the importance of inner well-being and self-acceptance over external standards.

If you could change anything about yourself, would you?

I do my best to embody the philosophy of self-acceptance and perpetual growth. Instead of focusing on changing specific aspects of myself, I have adopted an approach of gratitude and openness to the ongoing process of self-discovery. I see every experience, whether positive or challenging, as a valuable contribution to my personal and spiritual development.

It was through a recent health scare that I learned to appreciate even the smallest things in life and see criticism as a humble teacher. For me, the journey revolves around embracing authenticity and cultivating a positive mindset. This philosophy not only shapes my individual path, but also serves as a guiding force, inspiring those I am privileged to lead on their unique journey to wellness.